Michigan Regimental Round Table Field Trips

Michigan Regimental Round Table 2007 Field Trip: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

This October MRRT members returned to Gettysburg after last visiting the park in 1995. Then as now, John Heiser of the National Park Service was our guide. MRRT extends it's warmest thanks to John for his outstanding presentation. The below link provides a brief video overview of that trip. Stay tuned to this page and as information for the 2008 trip becomes available, it will be posted here. View a brief video of our October 20-21, 2007 field trip to Gettysburg, PA.


Gettysburg Campaign, July 1—3, 1864

  • Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. George G. Meade [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS]
  • Forces Engaged: 158,300 total (US 83,289; CS 75,054)
  • Estimated Casualties: 51,000 total (US 23,000; CS 28,000)

Gen. Robert E. Lee concentrated his full strength against Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's Army of the Potomac at the crossroads county seat of Gettysburg. On July 1, Confederate forces converged on the town from west and north, driving Union defenders back through the streets to Cemetery Hill. During the night, reinforcements arrived for both sides. On July 2, Lee attempted to envelop the Federals, first striking the Union left flank at the Peach Orchard, Wheatfield, Devil's Den, and the Round Tops with Longstreet's and Hill's divisions, and then attacking the Union right at Culp's and East Cemetery Hills with Ewell's divisions. By evening, the Federals retained Little Round Top and had repulsed most of Ewell's men. During the morning of July 3, the Confederate infantry were driven from their last toe-hold on Culp's Hill. In the afternoon, after a preliminary artillery bombardment, Lee attacked the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. The Pickett-Pettigrew assault (more popularly, Pickett's Charge) momentarily pierced the Union line but was driven back with severe casualties. Stuart's cavalry attempted to gain the Union rear but was repulsed. On July 4, Lee began withdrawing his army toward Williamsport on the Potomac River. His train of wounded stretched more than fourteen miles.

Result: Union victory

Source: National Park Services CSAC Battle Summaries


Additional Resources

  1. High Tide At Gettysburg by Glenn Tucker
  2. Gettysburg, The Second Day by Harry Pfanz
  3. Last Chance For Victory by Scott Bowden and Bill Ward
  4. My Enemy, My Brother by Joseph Persico
  5. The Second Day At Gettysburg edited by Gary Gallagher
  6. The Third Day At Gettysburg edited by Gary Gallagher

Take John Heiser's Gettysburg History Challenge (Source—Gettysburg National Military Park Kidzpage)

Financial Panic illustration 1. Prior to the outbreak of war, there were financial "panics", including one in 1857. What did these affect?:

  • Northern & Southern war plans
  • Northern & Southern bankss
  • salaries of Northern ∓ Southern congressmen
  • mall shopping on "Black Friday".

Stuart Begins His Campaignillustration 2. Union soldiers wore a ____________ on their heads:

  • top hat.
  • derby.
  • forage cap
  • fig leaf.

Cemetery Ridge illustration 3. When soldiers were ordered to travel with a minimal amount of equipment and extras, it was called:

  • bare bones
  • "esprit de corps".
  • high and mighty.
  • light marching order.

2d LA Regimental Flag illustration 4. The group of soldiers whose job was to protect the flag of a regiment was called:

  • the color sergeants.
  • the flag sergeants.
  • the regimental band.
  • the color guard.

Pennsylvania 34th Infantry Regiment (5th Reserves) illustration 5. When General Lee invaded Pennsylvania, the governor ordered these organizations be mustered to defend the state:

  • Pennsylvania reserves.
  • Emergency Regiments.
  • volunteer artillery regiments.
  • Loyal Order of Elks.

Gen. Henry Heth illustration 6. Confederate soldiers commanded by this officer were the first southerners to encounter Union troops on July 1 at Gettysburg:

  • General Henry Heth.
  • General James Longstreet.
  • General Tom Holbrook.
  • General John Bell Hood.

Union Retreat through Gettysburg illustration 7. As the first day's fighting ended, the Union troops were forced to:

  • sing "Dixie".
  • fight their way through the Confederate lines.
  • retreat through Gettysburg.
  • pay for damages to the town.

Seminary Ridge illustration 8. On July 2, General Lee surveyed the strong Union line from his position on:

  • Little Round Top.
  • Seminary Ridge.
  • a tall platform.
  • Cemetery Ridge.

July2 Map illustration 9. The fighting on July 2 began at 4 o'clock when General Longstreet's troops attacked the Union:

  • right flank.
  • supply train.
  • left flank.
  • code of honor.

Rock Creek illustration 10. To attack Culp's Hill, Confederates had to wade across:

  • Spangler's Spring.
  • the Potomac River.
  • Culp's Creek.
  • code of honor.

The Angle illustration 11. On the third day of the battle, General Pickett's troops succeeded:

  • in scaring General Meade.
  • by following General Hill's orders.
  • in breaking the Union line at the "angle".
  • in capturing Cemetery Hill.

Wounded Solider at Gettysburg illustration 12. When a soldier was killed or wounded or captured, he was called:

  • a casual soldier.
  • a casualty.
  • on by officers to see if he could return to the regiment.
  • wounded.

Lee Retreting across the Potomac illustration 14. After the Battle of Gettysburg, General Lee's army retreated to:

  • the Potomac River.
  • Richmond.
  • Frederick, Maryland.
  • fight a Union army in Tennessee

Edward Everett illustration 15. On November 19, 1863, ____________ ____________ was the featured speaker at the dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery.

  • President Lincoln.
  • General Meade.
  • Edward Everett.
  • William Saunders.

David Wills House illustration 16. President Lincoln was invited to speak at the dedication of the National Cemetery by:

  • the mayor of Gettysburg.
  • General Meade.
  • Governor Andrew Curtin.
  • David Wills.

Camp Letterman Hospital illustration 17. This organization helped care for the wounded of both sides at Camp Letterman:

  • U.S. Sanitary Commission.
  • National Society of Hospital Workers
  • the Irish Brigade.
  • the Red Cross.

A Union Recruit illustration 18. To the Civil War soldier, "Fresh Fish" meant:

  • to go fishing.
  • chasing an officer's runaway horse.
  • new recruits.
  • new uniforms.



Tye Bonnie Blue Flag illustration 19. A favorite song among Confederate soldiers was:

  • The Bonnie Blue Flag.
  • Stairway to Richmond.
  • The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
  • The Vacant Chair.

Civil War Drum illustration 20. What instrument was used by an infantry regiment to notify soldiers when to wake up, fall in for attention, march, and drill?

  • a bugle.
  • a harmonica.
  • a drum.
  • a flute

George Sykes illustration 21. Though he commanded a Union corps at Gettysburg, this Union general does NOT have an equestrian monument at Gettysburg National Military Park is:

  • Henry Slocum.
  • George Gordon Meade.
  • John Sedgwick.
  • George Sykes.

Extra Credit

Iron Brigade illustration Q1 - Regiments from what states made up the famous "Iron Brigade"?

  • Maine, New York, and Pennsylvania.
  • Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana.
  • Tennessee, Kentucky, and Michigan.
  • Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois.

Gen. John B. Gordon illustration Extra Credit Q2 - Who was the Confederate general who found and comforted a seriously wounded Union general on the battlefield on July 1st?





Click Twenty Question Challenge to see how well you did!


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